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How Much Is To Much????Lighting, Filtration & Other Equipment Specific discussions on aquarium equipment from protein skimmers to water pumps. Which are the best, what they do, and what you might need for your reef aquarium. |
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#1
February 1st, 2007, 03:34 PM
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How Much Is To Much????
I am looking into installing a MH light in my system. How much light is to much? I have a 46gal bowfront and I am looking at a 400w MH retro kit. I will build (metal or wood, fans included) the box for the light. But would like to know what everyone thinks is to much light.
Thanks in advance. Tom Current Aquarium(s) Description: 46 gal bow front reef Experience in Saltwater & Reef Aquarium Hobby: on and off for the last 10yrs Other Intrests: Fish and wood working 
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#2
February 1st, 2007, 06:17 PM
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Re: How Much Is To Much????
Take this with a grain of salt, but I thiink its too much. Your tank isnt that deep or wide so I would go with the 250 mh. IMO that would be best. Just my
 though. Im sure someone with more experience will waigh in here. What are you wanting to keep?
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Bobby 
Current Aquarium(s) Description: 30 gal reef, 175 MH, CSS 125. 29 gal reef, 10 gal sump, ASM mini G 130 watt PC's Experience in Saltwater & Reef Aquarium Hobby: in fresh water all my life and stared salt in 08/06 Other Intrests: aquariums,remodeling houses,and cars
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TomCG (February 2nd, 2007) | ||
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#3
February 1st, 2007, 08:16 PM
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Re: How Much Is To Much????
You would probibly be better off going with 2 250s instead of the one 400. I run 2 250s on my 55.
Current Aquarium(s) Description: 90G FW 60G Reef Experience in Saltwater & Reef Aquarium Hobby: Year or so
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TomCG (February 2nd, 2007) | ||
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#4
February 1st, 2007, 08:37 PM
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Re: How Much Is To Much????
Ya but the 46 bow is only 36 in long and a m/h covers 2 feet, so if placed in the middle wouldnt it only leave 6 in oneach side, a good place for shrooms isnt it. Again I never had them so I dont know for sure, just making sure the 36 inch wasnt overlooked.
Squibly I still cant find heat packs over 8 hours, I called the lfs's and I dont know of any sporting good stores around here.
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Bobby
Current Aquarium(s) Description: 30 gal reef, 175 MH, CSS 125. 29 gal reef, 10 gal sump, ASM mini G 130 watt PC's Experience in Saltwater & Reef Aquarium Hobby: in fresh water all my life and stared salt in 08/06 Other Intrests: aquariums,remodeling houses,and cars
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TomCG (February 2nd, 2007) | ||
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#5
February 2nd, 2007, 12:10 AM
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Re: How Much Is To Much????
I'd say that's okay. You could keep SPS and clams with no problem with that much light.
Current Aquarium(s) Description: 240-gallon reef with a 55-gallon sump and 35-gallon refugium Experience in Saltwater & Reef Aquarium Hobby: 7 years
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TomCG (February 2nd, 2007) | ||
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#6
February 2nd, 2007, 03:33 AM
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Re: How Much Is To Much????
Thanks to everyone for your input. I will start drawing up plans for my new light system. I will take pics. and post them thru the build. I think at this time I'm looking at running 2 - 250w MH one on each side, and then run 13in CPs on the outside of those and I might run two in the middle. I will just have to look at the room in the hood. Again, Thank you. Tom
Current Aquarium(s) Description: 46 gal bow front reef Experience in Saltwater & Reef Aquarium Hobby: on and off for the last 10yrs Other Intrests: Fish and wood working
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#7
February 5th, 2007, 05:08 AM
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Re: How Much Is To Much????
400 w is a lot. i used to keep a single 150 over my 36" tank and had some good growth. if you keep the light about a foot over the tank the light should cover the entire tank provided you have a good reflector. if you are only going to keep sps then i'd say go for the 250's but if you want to keep some of the lower light corals you will be hard pressed to keep them in a tank with this much light. FWIW i still have to keep some of my LPS under egg crate so they don't bleach. this under 150w MH. HTH.
Current Aquarium(s) Description: 50g, 150w x 2 12k MH, 20g sump/fuge, euro-reef 5-2, ehiem 1262 return Experience in Saltwater & Reef Aquarium Hobby: it's not the time you've been in but the time you put in... Other Intrests: poker, movies
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#8
February 5th, 2007, 05:08 PM
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Re: How Much Is To Much????
Just one more item to think about. Don't forget heat issues. I don't think you can really ever go overbaord with lighting, but you do have to be carefull and not cook your livestock.
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Keep a reefin'  Member: Chattanooga Reef Club Current Aquarium(s) Description: 14g Biocube Experience in Saltwater & Reef Aquarium Hobby: 4 yrs. Other Intrests: Golf and reef tanks.
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